EP4368482A1

EP4368482A1 - Saddle for bicycles with a simplified construction and related manufacturing method

Info

Publication number: EP4368482A1
Application number: EP23199010.2A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Riccardo Bigolin; Andrea BUZZAVO
Original assignee: Selle Italia SRL
Current assignee: Selle Italia SRL
Priority date: 2022-11-11
Filing date: 2023-09-22
Publication date: 2024-05-15
Also published as: US20240158035A1

Abstract

A bicycle saddle (4) comprising a frame (8) having a peripheral structure, configured to be fixed to a corresponding upright of a bicycle frame, a body (12) overlapping said frame (8), along a vertical direction (Y-Y), that is substantially perpendicular to said body (12), and anchored thereto by means of shape coupling means (16), a padding (20) comprising a cushion (24) overlapping said body (12) along said vertical direction (Y-Y), made of an elastic polymeric material, wherein said shape coupling means (16) comprise a plurality of pegs (28) and relative fixing holes (32), wherein said pegs (28) are in a single piece with the cushion (24) of the padding (20) and facing from the part of the body (12), and wherein said pegs (28) are embedded with said fixing holes (32), obtained on the body (12).

Description

FIELD OF APPLICATION

The present invention is in relation to a saddle for bicycles with a simplified construction and the related manufacturing method.

PRIOR ART

Known within the bicycle sector are saddles that are required to be inexpensive to make and assemble and that are required, at the same time, to ensure the necessary riding comfort.
Customarily, prior art saddles are made in at least three pieces that include a support frame which is typically tubular and configured to be in turn attached to a bicycle frame, a body, overlapping said frame, and padding, typically made of foam material, which in turn overlaps and is glued to the body and supported thereby.
Such solutions have some drawbacks and disadvantages in terms of implementation/assembly.
For example, the step of molding the padding and applying it to the body is critical: such application must in fact be on the one hand precise and on the other hand must not give rise, over time, to slipping of the padding which is normally glued to the body. Such possible slippages could compromise the comfort of the saddle insofar as they affect the shock absorption capabilities and also the freedom of compression/flexing of the padding itself.
The use of gluing involves problems in relation to the application of the glue and associated therewith, such as, considering that the saddle undergoes continuous deformation cycles and is subject to weathering, the disposal and sealing thereof over time.
Furthermore, gluing signifies time for the adhesive to spread and waiting time for it to dry/seal between those pieces that are to be mutually bonded.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

The need to solve the drawbacks and limitations mentioned with reference to the prior art is therefore felt.
This need is satisfied by a bicycle saddle according to claim 1 and a method for manufacturing a bicycle saddle according to claim 15.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred, non-limiting embodiments thereof, wherein:

Figure 1 shows a perspective view, in an exploded configuration, of a bicycle saddle according to one embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 2 shows a perspective view from above and from below of the bicycle saddle of Figure 1, in an assembled configuration;
Figure 3 shows a lateral view of the bicycle saddle of Figure 1, in an assembled configuration;
Figure 4 shows a plan view from below of the bicycle saddle of Figure 1, in an assembled configuration;
Figure 5 shows, enlarged, the detail V indicated in Figure 4;
Figure 6 shows a cross-sectional view of the bicycle saddle in Figure 1, along the cross-sectional plane VI-VI shown in Figure 4;
Figure 7 shows, enlarged, the detail VII indicated in Figure 6;
Figure 8 shows a plan view of the base of the bicycle saddle according to a further embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 9 shows a sectional view of the saddle of Figure 8, along the section plane IX-IX of Figure 8;
Figure 10 shows, enlarged, the detail X indicated in Figure 9;
Figure 11 shows, enlarged, the detail XI indicated in Figure 8;
Figure 12 shows, enlarged, the detail XII indicated in Figure 9;
Figures 13-15 show views of details of shape coupling means according to further embodiments of the present invention.

Elements or parts of elements common to the embodiments described hereinafter will be indicated with the same numerical references.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

With reference to the aforesaid figures, an overall view of a bicycle saddle is indicated collectively with the numeral 4.
The saddle 4 comprises a frame 8 having a peripheral structure, configured to be fixed, in a known way, to a corresponding upright of a bicycle frame (not show). The frame 8 of the saddle 4 is typically a hollow tubular element and is manufactured, in a known way, from a metal or polymeric material.
The saddle 4 comprises, furthermore, a body 12 that overlaps said frame 8, along a vertical direction Y-Y, substantially perpendicular to said body 12, and anchored thereto by shape coupling means 16.
The saddle 4 comprises, furthermore, padding 20 comprising a cushion 24 overlapping said body 12 along said vertical direction Y-Y, made of an elastic polymeric material. Preferably said padding is made of EVA (ethylene vinyl acetate).
Advantageously, said shape coupling means 16 comprise a plurality of pegs 28 and relative fixing holes 32, wherein said pegs 28 are in a single piece with the cushion 24 of the padding 20 and facing from the part of the body 12. Furthermore, said pegs 28 are embedded with said fixing holes 32, obtained on the body 12.
Preferably, the fixing holes 32 are through the body 12.
According to one possible embodiment, said pegs 28 have a base 30, in a single piece with an inner wall 36 of the padding 20, facing the body 12, and a head 40, cantilevered with respect to the base 30.
According to one possible embodiment, said base 30 makes an undercut with the fixing holes 32 of the body 12, along the vertical direction Y-Y.
According to one possible embodiment, the head 40 has a front flare 44 configured to facilitate the insertion of the head 40 through the fixing hole 32.
According to one possible embodiment, an outer peripheral edge 48 of the padding 20 makes an undercut with an outer peripheral wall 52 of the body 12, along the vertical direction Y-Y.
According to one possible embodiment, at least one male-female coupling and/or an engagement 56 is included between the outer peripheral edge 48 of the padding 20 and the outer peripheral wall 52 of the body 12.
According to one possible embodiment (Figures 8-12), said shape coupling means 16 comprise pegs 28 arranged between the outer peripheral edge 48 of the padding 20 and the outer peripheral wall 52 of the body 12.
It is also possible to include the use of slits 80 and ribs 84 at the outer peripheral wall 52 of the body 12, which engage with corresponding pegs 28 on the padding 20 (Figure 13). In particular, the slits 80 facilitate the insertion of the pegs 28 and the ribs 84 make a further undercut coupling with the padding 20.
According to one possible embodiment, at least one connection by welding is included between the outer peripheral edge 48 of the padding 20 and the outer peripheral wall 52 of the body 12.
According to one possible embodiment (Figures 14-15), the pegs 28 are also associated with the body 12, at the outer peripheral wall 52 of the body 12, and are engaged in fixing holes 32 obtained on the outer peripheral edge 48 of the padding 20.
According to one possible embodiment (Figure 15), the pegs 28 on the body have a hook head 88 which engages in counter-shaped seats 92, configured to engage with said hook head 88.
According to one possible embodiment, the body 12 comprises a central hole 60 and the padding 20 includes a corresponding lowered central seat 64 counter-shaped to the central hole 60, wherein at the respective perimeters of the central hole 60 and the lowered central seat 64, the padding 20 includes an inner peripheral edge 68 which makes an undercut with an inner peripheral wall 72 of the body 12, along the vertical direction Y-Y.
According to one possible embodiment, at least one male-female coupling and/or at least one connection by welding are included at said respective perimeters of the central hole 60 and the lowered central seat 64.
According to one possible embodiment (Figures 8-12), said shape coupling means 16 comprise pegs 28 arranged at said respective perimeters of the central hole 60 and the lowered central seat 64.
Preferably, said lowered central seat 64 is a hole through the padding 20.
A handhold 76 may also be associated with the body 12.
The method for manufacturing and assembling a bicycle saddle according to the present invention will now be described.
In particular, the method proceeds with the step of arranging a frame 8 having a perimeter structure, configured to be fixed to a corresponding upright of a bicycle frame, arranging a body 12 to overlap said frame 8, along the vertical direction Y-Y, substantially perpendicular to said body 12, said body 12 being provided with fixing holes 32.
Additionally, the step is performed of molding a padding 20 in an elastic polymeric material, said padding 20 comprising, in a single piece, a cushion 24 and a plurality of pegs 28.
The molding of the padding 20 presents some peculiarities.
In particular, after the step of extracting the padding 20 from the mold, a geometric increase in the volume of the padding 20 of at least 30% and a subsequent shrinkage of at least 20% are expected.
In particular, the first step of increasing the volume is due to the fact that the polymeric material, once it has been extracted from the mold, tends to expand.
Subsequently, due to cooling, a reduction in volume occurs.
The manufacturing method therefore comprises the step of engaging, according to a shape coupling, the pegs 28 in said fixing holes 32 during said cooling.
Such coupling within the fixing holes 32 is facilitated by the presence of the front flare 44.
The diameter of the fixing holes 32 is less than the thickness of the head 40: in this way, undercuts are obtained with the fixing holes 32, along the vertical direction, in such a way as to make the padding 20 and the body 12 integral.
Finally the frame 8 is associated with the assembly comprising the body 12 and the padding 20.
As may be appreciated from that which has been described, the present invention overcomes the drawbacks of the prior art.
In particular, the present invention makes it possible to obtain a saddle that is economical to manufacture insofar as all of the steps of gluing the padding to the body, as occur in the solutions of the prior art, are eliminated.
Therefore, the timescales and costs of the saddle molding and assembly operations are reduced.
Moreover, the risks that occur with use in saddles of the prior art of the upholstery slipping in relation to the padding are avoided.
The saddle, thus manufactured, is also eco-friendly insofar as it does make use of glues.
Furthermore, the saddle, thus manufactured and assembled, is safe and reliable over time insofar as the shape couplings between the padding and the body ensure a complete and long-lasting assembly between the various parts.
In this way normal operating of the padding is also achieved, thereby ensuring consistent riding comfort also after prolonged use.
A person skilled in the art, for the purpose of satisfying contingent and specific needs, may make numerous modifications and variations to the solutions described above.
The scope of protection of the invention is defined by the following claims.

Claims

Saddle (4) for bicycles comprising:
- a frame (8) having a peripheral structure, configured to be fixed to a corresponding upright of a bicycle frame,

- a body (12) overlapping said frame (8), along a vertical direction (Y-Y), substantially perpendicular to said body (12), and anchored thereto by shape coupling means (16),

- a padding (20) comprising a cushion (24) overlapping said body (12) along said vertical direction (Y-Y), made of an elastic polymeric material,

- wherein said shape coupling means (16) comprise a plurality of pegs (28) and relative fixing holes (32), wherein said pegs (28) are in a single piece with the cushion (24) of the padding (20) and facing from the part of the body (12), and wherein said pegs (28) are embedded in said fixing holes (32), obtained on the body (12).
Saddle (4) for bicycles according to claim 1, wherein said fixing holes (32) are through the body (12).
Saddle (4) for bicycles according to any one of claims 1 to 2, wherein said pegs (28) have a base (30), in a single piece with an inner wall (36) of the padding (20), facing the body (12), and a head (40), cantilevered with respect to the base (30).
Saddle (4) for bicycles according to claim 3, wherein said base (30) is configured so as to make an undercut with the fixing holes (32) of the body (12), along the vertical direction (Y-Y).
Saddle (4) for bicycles according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the head (40) has a front flare (44) configured to facilitate the insertion of the head (40) through the fixing hole (32).
Saddle (4) for bicycles according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein an outer peripheral edge (48) of the padding (20) makes an undercut with an outer peripheral wall (52) of the body (12), along the vertical direction (Y-Y).
Saddle (4) for bicycles according to claim 6, wherein at least one male-female coupling is included between the outer peripheral edge (48) of the padding (20) and the outer peripheral wall (52) of the body (12).
Saddle (4) for bicycles according to any one of claims 6 to 7, wherein said shape coupling means (16) comprise pegs (28) arranged between the outer peripheral edge (48) of the padding (20) and the outer peripheral wall (52) of the body (12).
Saddle (4) for bicycles according to claim 8, wherein said shape coupling means (16) comprise slits (80) and ribs (84) at the outer peripheral wall (52) of the body (12) which engage with corresponding pegs (28) on the padding (20).
Saddle (4) for bicycles according to claim 9, wherein said slits (80) are configured to facilitate the insertion of the pegs (28) and the ribs (84) are configured to make an undercut coupling with the padding (20) .
Saddle (4) for bicycles according to claim 8, 9 or 10, wherein the pegs (28) are also associated with the body (12), at the outer peripheral wall (52) of the body (12) and are engaged in fixing holes (32) obtained on the outer peripheral edge (48) of the padding (20) and wherein the pegs (28) on the body (12) have a hook head (88) which engages in counter-shaped seats (92), configured to engage with said hook head (88).
Saddle (4) for bicycles according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the body (12) comprises a central hole (60) and the padding (20) includes a corresponding lowered central seat (64) counter-shaped to the central hole (60), wherein at the respective perimeters of the central hole (60) and the lowered central seat (64), the padding (20) includes an inner peripheral edge (68) which makes an undercut with an inner peripheral wall (72) of the body (12), along the vertical direction (Y-Y).
Saddle (4) for bicycles according to claim 12, wherein at least one male-female coupling and/or an engagement (56) and/or at least one connection by welding are included at said respective perimeters of the central hole (60) and the lowered central seat (64).
Saddle (4) for bicycles according to claim 12 or 13, wherein said shape coupling means (16) comprise pegs (28) arranged at said respective perimeters of the central hole (60) and the lowered central seat (64).
Method for making a saddle (4) for bicycles comprising the steps of:
- arranging a frame (8) having a peripheral structure, configured to be fixed to a corresponding upright of a bicycle frame,

- arranging a body (12) to overlap said frame (8), along a vertical direction (Y-Y), substantially perpendicular to said body (12), said body being provided with fixing holes (32),

- moulding a padding (20) in an elastic polymeric material, said padding (20) comprising, in a single piece, a cushion (24) and a plurality of pegs (28),

- extracting the padding (20) from the mould, waiting for a geometric increase in the volume of the padding (20) of at least 30% and a subsequent shrinkage of at least 20%,

- engaging, according to a shape coupling, the pegs (28) in said fixing holes (32), the diameter of the fixing holes (32) being less than the thickness of the head (40), so as to obtain undercuts with the fixing holes (32), along said vertical direction (Y-Y) and to make the padding (20) and the body (12) integral,

- associating the frame (8) with the assembly comprising the body (12) and the padding (20).